Position: Youth Engagement and Partnership Specialist (Premium Job)

Job Description

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Chief of Communication or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Youth Engagement and Partnership Specialist will:

• Lead the UNICEF Nepal youth-related initiatives related to Generation Unlimited (Gen U) and the UNDP-UNICEF partnership, strategizing the country implementation and liaising with the global teams including reporting.
• Lead events and workshops on youth engagement including developing concept notes, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.
• Manage external service providers for their quality of work and compliance and provide strategic guidance on project design and implementation.
• Conduct outreach and strengthen partnerships with existing organizations and networks, and promote new partnerships with the private sector, associations/federations, youth organizations, youth experts, government, civil society organizations, media, academia among others to build platforms for youth.
• Guide and strengthen coordination and coherence related to the youth agenda within the UN system through existing mechanisms such as the UN Youth Working Group.
• Map relevant initiatives by government, private sector, civil society, academia etc. related to youth engagement, and skills and employability.
• Contribute to the strategic role of UNICEF Youth Advocates and UNICEF Volunteers by integrating their engagement in GenU and other youth initiatives.
• Contribute to creating a pool of resources (knowledge products, communication materials etc.) on youth engagement including best practices.
• Contribute to the development of key messages that will be used for multi-media content including social media channels, media engagement and campaigns on issues critical to youth.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Job Specification

Nationality

• Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience

• 15 years of experience in national and/or international level in coordination, partnership, or programme management; at least two years of relevant experience in working with young people, including leading youth-focused events and campaigns, and community engagement projects ;at least 2 years of experience in advocacy and campaigning on youth empowerment, partnership development and working with the private sector as a mechanism for sustainable development; experience working and leading coordination in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; experience working within the UN, an asset ; experience of working with youth networks and organizations in development context; proven skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking, advocacy, negotiation, and ability to relate to a young audience; proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills; excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to nurture relationships with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, youth organizations, development partners, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment: self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Area(s) of expertise

• Development programmes

Driving license
 

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

• Master degree or equivalent in Social Science, International Development, International Affairs, or Communication

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN
  Core Values.

Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is designated under Phase 1 of the UN Security classification but is subject to change depending on the evolving context of the security situation. Living conditions in Kathmandu are good. Comfortable, inexpensive flats (furnished and unfurnished) are available in Kathmandu. Both imported and local foods and clothing are abundantly available. There is a short supply of water and it is also not safe to drink water that has not undergone treatment. Public transport, such as taxis, is easily available and generally reliable though traffic congestion is extremely high. Kathmandu has a temperate climate with the coldest temperatures reaching just above zero at the night during the winter and mild but humid conditions during the monsoon period, mid-June to end September.

The role will provide for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness and compassion to work closely with stakeholders as well as flexibility. Therefore, the ability and willingness to understand and accommodate different stakeholders with varying needs are essential.

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

Apply Instruction

To apply for this job please visit app.unv.org.